Project Name: Empowering Women in Engineering: Addressing Patenting, Innovation, and Financial Challenges

Brief Description

"Empowering Women in Engineering: Addressing Patenting, Innovation, and Financial Challenges" is a comprehensive project aimed at breaking down barriers and fostering gender equality within the engineering profession.

Firstly, the project focuses on tackling the underrepresentation of women in patenting their inventions. Through targeted initiatives, including mentorship programs and workshops, the project aims to equip women engineers with the knowledge, skills, and support needed to navigate the complex patenting process effectively.

Secondly, the project aims to provide women engineers with the resources and support necessary to foster innovation and entrepreneurship.

Finally, the project addresses the financial challenges faced by women engineers in filing patents and pursuing entrepreneurial endeavors. Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders and government agencies the project secures funding and resources to support women in overcoming financial barriers. Additionally, the project offers mentorship, networking opportunities, and access to funding sources to facilitate women's access to financial support for patent filing and innovation projects.

Overall, "Empowering Women in Engineering: Addressing Patenting, Innovation, and Financial Challenges" aims to create a more inclusive and equitable engineering profession where women have equal opportunities to thrive, innovate, and contribute to advancements in the field. Through targeted initiatives, strategic partnerships, and ongoing support, the project seeks to empower women engineers to overcome challenges, realize their full potential, and drive positive change within the engineering industry.

Pitch Deck

To learn more about this instructor's experience in the FLC, please review the presentation slides below.

Pitch Deck_Zahra Najafi_FLC2024.pptx

Reflection

Participating in the faculty learning community program titled "Incorporating Entrepreneurship into Your Career" has been an enlightening and transformative experience. Through this program, I have gained valuable insights into the intersection of academia and entrepreneurship, discovering innovative ways to integrate entrepreneurial principles into my career as an educator and researcher.

One of the key learnings from the program is the importance of fostering an entrepreneurial mindset. Moreover, the program has emphasized the value of collaboration and interdisciplinary partnerships in driving entrepreneurial success. I have learned the importance of building diverse networks and leveraging the expertise of colleagues from different disciplines to foster innovation and create impact.

Additionally, the program has provided practical strategies and tools (Lean Canvas and pitch deck preparation) into entrepreneurial training. I have learned about the process of market validation, business model development, and venture scaling, gaining practical insights into the entrepreneurial journey.

Overall, participating in the faculty learning community program has been a transformative experience that has equipped me with the knowledge, skills, and mindset to incorporate entrepreneurship into my career. By embracing innovation, collaboration, and strategic thinking, I am poised to make a meaningful impact in both academia and the broader entrepreneurial ecosystem, driving positive change and creating value for society.

Plans

Over the next 3-5 years, my plan is to implement a diverse approach to empower women in engineering. This includes establishing mentorship programs, hosting workshops on patenting and innovation, securing funding for financial support initiatives, and integrating empowerment initiatives into engineering curricula. I aim to expand my network of industry partners and collaborators, scale my impact through strategic partnerships, and continuously evaluate and adapt my initiatives to ensure meaningful and sustainable empowerment of women in engineering.

**Faculty Bio**
	I pursued my academic journey with a Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering at The University of Akron, Akron, OH, USA. My academic background (Electrical and Biomedical Engineering) reflects my commitment to interdisciplinary studies, blending engineering and biomedical sciences to contribute to advancements in healthcare technologies and innovations.